Chiefs host USF LT Donovan Jennings on top-30 visit ahead of 2024 NFL draft

What is a top-30 visit?

NFL teams are allotted 30 pre-draft visits where they can host prospects at team facilities. Each visit happens with a different goal in mind as part of the pre-draft fact-gathering process. Teams will bring in players for several reasons whether to check on existing injuries, discuss character concerns, or continue gathering information on prospects as they finalize their draft board. 

The Chiefs use their top 30 visits in several different ways, but it almost always indicates that they have some level of interest in a prospect. Often they'll bring in players who are expected to be priority free agents, to convince them to sign with the team after the draft. They've also hosted several players on pre-draft visits who have been drafted during Brett Veach's tenure as general manager. 

How does OT Donovan Jennings fit with the Chiefs?

Experience is the name of the game for Jennings, who is flying a bit under the radar in the 2024 NFL draft class. He has played over 3,600 snaps in college in 55 games played, with nearly 3,200 snaps and 45 starts coming at the left tackle position. During his final year with the Bulls, Jennings allowed two sacks and just 18 total pressures on the season. 

Listed at 6-foot-4 and 328 pounds, Jennings posted a 5.02s 40-yard dash, a 28-inch vertical, a 4.70s short shuttle, a 7.6s three-cone and finished with 28 reps in the bench press at the USF pro day. At the shrine bowl, he slid inside to play the left guard position rather seamlessly. 

Jennings is an older prospect and will be 25 years old during his rookie season. He's also dealt with some injuries during his time at USF, missing nearly a dozen games with injury over the past two years. That's likely one reason the Chiefs have brought him in for a visit. 

The Chiefs seem to be exploring quite a few different possibilities at the offensive tackle position, from the early-round steals to the late-round gems. What's abundantly clear is that they're not planning on entering the 2024 NFL season without adding some competition for Wanya Morris at the left tackle spot. They also seem to be looking at a few players with some of the left guard-left tackle flexibility at the next level. It makes sense given the fact that they might have a big decision coming up on Joe Thuney in the 2025 offseason. 

Other visits so far:

• Oregon State WR Anthony Gould
• Western Michigan DE Marshawn Kneeland
• Boston College OL Christian Mahogany
• UCF WR Javon Baker
• UNI DT Khristian Boyd
• Marshall RB Rasheen Ali
• BYU OT Kingsley Suamataia
• Ohio State DT Michael Hall Jr.
• Furman OL Jake Johanning
• Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott
• CFL CB Qwan'tez Stiggers
• UCLA FB/RB Carson Steele
• Texas RB Jonathon Brooks
• Texas DT K'Vondre Sweat
• UBC OL Giovanni Manu
• Penn State OT Caedan Wallace (coming soon)
• Washington WR Jalen McMillan (coming soon)
• TCU S Millard Bradford (coming soon)
• Missouri OT Javon Foster (coming soon)
• Cincinnati DT Jowon Briggs (coming soon)